Information Processing in Healthcare at the Start of the third Millennium: Potential and Limitations

Abstract

The 21st century is said to be a century of the information society. We should be aware that continuing progress in information processing methodology (IPM) and information and communication technology (ICT) is changing our societies, including medicine and health care. At the start of the third Millennium we should ask ourselves, what progress can we expect from modern IPM/ICT for healthcare in the coming decade, what concerns does the information society have to face, and what steps have to be taken. These questions were addressed by clinicians, researchers and industrial representatives in a panel discussion at the joint conference ISCB-GMDS-99 of the International Society of Clinical Biostatistics and the German Society for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology. Important aspects raised by the panelists and in the subsequent discussion were: (1) the main goal of expanding IPM/ICT should be to further improve quality of care, while maintaining reasonable costs; (2) with the support of modern IPM and ICT the boundaries between inpatient and outpatient care will fade away enabling a more efficient, patient-centered health care; (3) cooperation between health-care professionals will increase; there will be different ways of communication between them and with the patient, including modern ICT and the Internet; (4) society must be concerned with achieving equal opportunities in being informed about and in using new ICT; (5) misuse of data will remain a serious problem and can become an obstacle to progress.

Quality of Electronic Health Records ‐ Coverage of Potential Information Weaknesses by Major EHR Quality Seals

“…Such a comprehension is essential since electronic communication has become increasingly important in recent decadesin addition to the general importance of correct and adequate communication for processes in healthcare (e.g., [13]). Among others, Haux et al provide the variety and amount of data that are produced in the context of patient treatment [14]. Another main reason is seen in the shift from the centralized to decentralized organization of healthcare institutions.…”

Overview of Literature Relevant to Information and Communication Technology Based Healthcare Design in Rural China

“…For instance, Haux et al (2010) emphasized five aspects about the Information Processing Methodology(IPM) in ICT healthcare design: (1) the main goal of expanding IPM/ICT should be to further improve quality of care, while maintaining reasonable costs; (2) with the support of modern IPM and ICT the boundaries between inpatient and outpatient care will fade away enabling a more efficient, patient-centered health care; (3) cooperation between health-care professionals will increase; there will be different ways of communication between them and with the patient, including modern ICT and the Internet; (4) society must be concerned with achieving equal opportunities in being informed about and in using new ICT; (5) misuse of data will remain a serious problem and can become an obstacle to progress. Berg et al (2003) proposed a socialtechnical view on the development of process-oriented ICT in health care in which he argued that modeling should not be conceived as the crucial first step in this design, but rather as an intervention in the organizational change-processes that constitute proper ICT development.…”

Local, Regional and National Interoperability in Hospital-level Systems Architecture

“…There area lsov ariousl ocal differences between carep rocesses,l egislation andi nsurance modelsw hich emphasize the flexibility needso fi nformation systems. Transition fromi nstitution-centric to patient-oriented servicesand smallorganizational unitshas been seen as an international trend [1,2].…”